City Council Action

Communication #3662/03 Docket Date: December 10, 2003

City of Newport REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION

To: Mayor Sardella & City Council From: James C. Smith, City Manager Date: December 3, 2003 Subject: Contract for Professional Consulting Services for the Police Department Applicant Presentation: N/A Staff Presentation: James C. Smith, City Manager

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve an agreement between the City of Newport and William Baker et.al. d/b/a Badgequest, a Massachusetts consulting firm which provides services to police departments.

BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:

In early October I received a letter written by Captain Wayne Morrison of the Newport Police Department which was forwarded to me by Terry Houlihan, attorney for our Police Union, making certain allegations regarding Chief Charles Golden. Subsequently, I interviewed the Captains and Lieutenants in the Department, the Department’s Civilian Administrator, and several other active and retired members of the Newport Police Department regarding the conduct and performance of the Chief, the Command Staff, and members of the Department with respect to issues raised by Captain Morrison. Several of the individuals interviewed concurred with Captain Morrison that Chief Charles Golden at times referred to Police Officers with abusive language and directly criticized the misbehavior of lower-ranking officers and provided less desirable assignments to these officers rather than working through the officers’ supervisors. Other individuals interviewed supported the Chief’s efforts to improve performance and programs in the Department. I did not find significant misfeasance or malfeasance which would warrant Chief Golden’s removal as demanded by a recent Union vote.

However, in order to confirm my findings, it is my recommendation that an independent fact finding be conducted. It is clear that there is a need to clarify and refine roles and responsibilities, expectations and standards of conduct in the Newport Police Department. William Baker, whose resume I have previously provided you, has assembled a team of professional law enforcement personnel, d/b/a Badgequest, to assist my office and the Department in this regard.

PREVIOUS LEGISLATIVE ACTION

FISCAL IMPACT _X_ Currently Budgeted (Account 011-200-01100-0225 Contract Services) ___ Requires additional appropriation ___ No Fiscal Impact

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS Resolution Copy of Agreement for Professional Services

City Attorney Review: _____ Date By: ______(if applicable) Finance Dept Review: _____ Date By: ______(if applicable) City Manager Review: _____ Concur _____ Recommend Denial _____ No Recommendation______Date